2025 Mind Matters Agenda

Printable agenda

*Time/Location**	Session
8:30 — 9:30 am Pier 7 Ballroom	Welcome, Rebecca Quinn Invisible Impact: Domestic Violence and Brain Injury Rachel Ramirez, MA, MSW, LISW-S, RA This session will provide an overview of the dynamics of domestic violence, introduce the concept of coercive control, and answer common questions about domestic violence, including, "Why do victims stay?" and "How can we best support domestic violence victims?"
9:30 — 9:50 am The Fleet Ballroom	Exhibits and Snack Break
9:50 — 10:50 am Pier 7 Ballroom	Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury: Strangulation, Concussions and Trauma Rachel Ramirez, MA, MSW, LISW-S, RA This session will define partner-inflicted brain injury and discuss psychological trauma and strangulation as unique characteristics, as well as discuss trauma-informed approaches central to working with domestic violence survivors. We will also discuss practical strategies for working with survivors of brain injury impacted by domestic violence, provide information on educational resources for survivors and professionals, and emphasize how partnerships with domestic violence programs can support safety and healing.
10:50 — 11:10 am The Fleet Ballroom	Exhibits
11:10 am — 12:10 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	North Dakota Interpersonal Violence Advocacy Panel Facilitated by: Kayla Jones, DV Program Coordinator for North Dakota Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition Panel Members: Tara Bjornson, MA; Barbara Huewe, LBSW; Heather Ingman; and Courtney Monroe-Ryckman North Dakota has several crisis centers that support these survivors. With representation from across North Dakota, this group of advocates will highlight the importance of the work they do: identification of brain injury and its supports as well as what medical professionals can do to assist this population.
12:10 — 1:10 pm The Fleet Ballroom	Lunch
1:10 — 2:10 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	Embracing Authenticity and Emotional Wellness in Brain Injury Recovery Edna White This presentation explores the transformative role of authenticity and emotional wellness in the recovery and resilience-building process following brain injuries. We will delve into the science of emotional wellness, examining how stress reduction and emotional regulation techniques reduce cortisol levels and support neural healing.
2:10 — 2:30 pm The Fleet Ballroom	Exhibits
2:30 — 3:30 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	Telehealth Guided Exercise as an Achievable Way to Improve Brain Injury Rehabilitation Outcomes in Rural and Resource Poor Settings Jenessa Lemon, DO and Joshua Blotter, MD This presentation will examine targeting the individual level of treatment with telehealth guided exercise regimens. It is a promising and achievable means to improve overall brain injury rehabilitation outcomes in rural settings.
3:30 — 3:50 pm The Fleet Ballroom	Exhibits and Snack Break
3:50 — 4:30 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	The Ripple Effect: Brain Injury and Relationships Gail Nelson, MEd, LPC This presentation will help create awareness of the ripple effect of brain injury related to roles, responsibilities, and ability to relate as partners.

Friday, March 21

*Time/Location**	Session
8:30 — 9:45 am Pier 7 Ballroom	Welcome, Rebecca Quinn Family Affair: Brain Injury Affects More Than the Survivor Kelly Lang, BA Attendees will understand the impacts of grief and trauma on the family unit following a loved one's traumatic brain injury. After attending this presentation, attendees will discuss how survivors and caregivers can reimagine their lives and discuss identity paralysis.
9:45 — 10:05 am The Fleet Ballroom	Exhibits and Snack Break
10:05 — 11:05 am Pier 7 Ballroom	Brain Injury as a Chronic Condition Nan Kennelly, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST This presentation will outline what chronic condition means in the context of brain injury. We will review some common changes seen after the two-year mark and consider what this new recognition from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could mean for recovery.
11:05 — 11:25 am The Fleet Ballroom	Exhibits
11:25 am — 12:25 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	Executive Functions and the Unspoken Factors Heidi Fiskness, MS CCC-SLP, CBIS; Nan Kennelly, MS CCC-SLP, CBIST; and Megan Dooley, OTD, OTR/L, LSVT, CLIPP, CBIS, Skills2Care This presentation is a breakdown of Executive Function skills and factors that may not be as readily discussed in relation to these skills. The focus will be on these cognitive skill sets and what these abilities look like when functioning well versus the dysfunction. Discussion will be provided on the common experiences that coincide with executive functioning loss. We will provide education on strategies to support success with executive function skills and resources for management of these cognitive demands.
12:25 — 1:25 pm The Fleet Ballroom	Lunch
1:25 — 2:25 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	Executive Functioning Panel Facilitated by: Heidi Fiskness, MS CCC-SLP, CBIS; Nan Kennelly, MS CCC-SLP, CBIST; and Megan Dooley, OTD, OTR/L, LSVT, CLIPP, CBIS, Skills2Care Panel Members: Marc Jurek, Melissa Hoffman, and Dr. Kathryn Eagle-Williams This will be a Q&A with professionals and a panel of individuals with lived experience. This will be an interactive session with open time for questions, sharing strategies, supports, and stories from professionals and persons with lived experience. Goals and how to address some of these higher-level executive function deficits therapeutically, will be discussed.
2:25 — 2:45 pm The Fleet Ballroom	Exhibits
2:45 — 3:45 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	Update on the North Dakota Brain Injury State Plan Rebecca Quinn, MSW, LCSW, CBIST This presentation will give an update on the state brain injury plan. Participants will hear about where the advisory council is at with the plan, as well as what you can expect soon from this plan.
3:45 — 4:05 pm The Fleet Ballroom	Exhibits and Snack Break
4:05 — 4:35 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	Brain Injury Survivor Opportunity Network (BISON) Shannan Stanke, BS The North Dakota Brain Injury Network (NDBIN) formed a survivor engagement group several years ago and are now ready to share about the mission of the group, how to join, and anticipated outcomes of this group's mission.
4:35 — 4:45 pm Pier 7 Ballroom	Conference Wrap Up, Rebecca Quinn Awards/Recognitions/Drawings for Prizes/Evaluations

* Central Time